The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-07
MODERN FUNERAL METHODS.
How the Harsh Features of Death Arr
Observation-Disclosures Tints for Collins.

How the Harsh Features of Death Are
Softened-MoonIight Tints for Collins.
Detroit Tribune.
'.It is only within a very few years that
there has been any reform in the manner of con-
Quoting funerals, said Mr.. T. Ell. Roberts. II
say reform because a few years ago the business
conducted in most disagreeable way. For
instance. If ice to be chopped. it was done
in front of the house before the mourners. Now
the advance In funeral methods has changed
many of the harsher features of funeral I
suppose you remember the old-fashioned screw
raInmed down into the coffin lid with screw
driver half yard long, to the horror of the
erief-stricken family. Now small thumb
screw performs that service without any show
noise.
Formerly some friend or member of the
family supervised the funeral arrangements. In
this age a funeral director relieves the family of
all the painful cares of preparation, and better
results are obtained"
What of the new methods in con-
Quoting the funeral?"
''In notifying the bearers / use an engraved
form or invitation inviting the person addressed
to serve giving date and hour, and requesting
early answer. These invitations / personally
deliver. Before the hour for the services the
hinges of the doors oiled to prevent any
noise. A colored man waits the door in a
full dress suit OF black, with white necktie and
black gloves. 1t is his place also take the hats
of the bearers and put them in the carriages set
aside for them. In this way the hands of the
bearers left free, and it also leaves the lid
of the casket unencumbered with them. AS
the bearers arrive they taken aside and
UtL0u Win gloves anu low Six caps ana Grape
fastened on the arm. In cold weather each car
rage is provided with hot soap-stopes. Mating
is laid from the carriage to the grave. In hot
stormy weather canopy extends from the
carriages to the grave and the earth around the
grave is covered with fresh evergreens or flowers,
eoncealing it from the view of the mourners
This last feature is especially necessary. Why
I've known persons who kept perfectly calm
during the home services to shrink and faint at
the sight of the dirt heaped up, realizing for the
first time that their dead were to be buried from
their sight.
"There is also proper style in forming the
procession. Some think that all that is neces-
the hearse, but in a well-reeulated funeral every
carriage must be drawn into line and at a proper
distance from the others. This prevents the
procession from looking struggling and
disconnected. The double carriages fer
the mourners must follow the hearse,
then close private carriages. after which
some other large hired carriages. the smaller
hicles bringing up the In this way SYM
merry is preserved. The modern caskets are
much more artistic, both in color and shape,
than those formerly used. For young people
white. cream. pale blue, navy blue and moon
light shade, just off white the correct thing
either of plush cloth. A color known as
ecru shades, is so popular that we have had ped
estals made to match Slate and purple used
for gentlemen to a considerable extent. General
Grants casket was of purple plush, with me-
tallic lining and silver mounting 1t had round
corners with a cable cord. We used one exactly
like it for the late David Preston. The Innings
of these caskets special feature. They are
of white satin, caught down at regular spaces in
the rose style, and with a ruche of pleated satin
ribbon edge These only few of the
many new methods in our business, which, in
some degree, soften the hard features Of death"